2004 Outlook - Griz Style

hokeyfine · Post by **hokeyfine** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 1:24 pm

the last great bobcat qb was compson.

Cat Pride · Post by **Cat Pride** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 1:32 pm

Getting a little tired of friz fans thinking that anyone in Bobcat Nation is satisfied with 7-6 records and/or simply beating the Griz.

So I will lay it on the line. MSU football has been so inept at maintaining any kind of winning tradition since '84, that Bobcat fans are starved for anything. Back-to-back championships, trips to the playoffs and victories over the Griz to get these things has brought back to life this football program. For the first time in a long time, there is actually a future with the Bobcat football program, and the progress that has been made in the previous 7-6 seasons puts some hope in the hearts of Cat fans everywhere that MSU is finally on the way back.

We are elated with the progress that has been made, the championships won and in beating UM, but if Friz fans think for one second that Cat fans are "satisfied", then their ignorant Griz-colored glasses are thicker than once thought. Just maybe Griz fans feel as though MSU is beginning to steal a bit of their thunder - winning championships, national recognition, playoffs, and a fan base that is growing on a daily basis....

Then again, I hope everyone associated with UM thinks MSU is satisfied at 7-6, that just means they will overlook the Cats again this year and be stunned again when MSU goes back to Washington-Bobcat stadium and runs over them for the 3rd straight year, championship and trip to the playoffs.

Robcat · Post by **Robcat** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 2:05 pm

WOW, Cat Pride could not have said it better myself. I have been a loyal fan since 1966 and we have seen our drought come and now go. The winds have changed, the football program is on its feet, the fan base is getting stronger by the day. However we have a long way to go. Beating the Grizz is not as important as once again being BCS champs and heading for the playoffs. I could care less about the Grizz, they are just another stepping stone to another national championship.

We have a very solid core of players in all positions, with no single individual in the lime light, I may have to exempt Lulay from that statement, this combination with excellant coaching makes championship teams. The 1984 team is a great example.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 2:06 pm

Cat Pride wrote:Getting a little tired of friz fans thinking that anyone in Bobcat Nation is satisfied with 7-6 records and/or simply beating the Griz.

So I will lay it on the line. MSU football has been so inept at maintaining any kind of winning tradition since '84, that Bobcat fans are starved for anything. Back-to-back championships, trips to the playoffs and victories over the Griz to get these things has brought back to life this football program. For the first time in a long time, there is actually a future with the Bobcat football program, and the progress that has been made in the previous 7-6 seasons puts some hope in the hearts of Cat fans everywhere that MSU is finally on the way back.

We are elated with the progress that has been made, the championships won and in beating UM, but if Friz fans think for one second that Cat fans are "satisfied", then their ignorant Griz-colored glasses are thicker than once thought. Just maybe Griz fans feel as though MSU is beginning to steal a bit of their thunder - winning championships, national recognition, playoffs, and a fan base that is growing on a daily basis....

Then again, I hope everyone associated with UM thinks MSU is satisfied at 7-6, that just means they will overlook the Cats again this year and be stunned again when MSU goes back to Washington-Bobcat stadium and runs over them for the 3rd straight year, championship and trip to the playoffs.

Count me as another Cat fan that is not satisfied. This year the CATS need to come out of the gate fast and not look back. I want a playoff spot wrapped up before the final Cat/Griz game. We have the team built, deep in a lot of spots, lots of athleticism there is no excuse why this team cannot gel and do some major damage this year. I'm very much looking forward to the beginning of the season as we can definately go 5-1 to start the season. I think the offense will be a LOT more balanced this year run versus pass etc. We will now have guys who can stretch the field, hopefully 2-3 stud RB's that can pound it inside/break to outside, and Lulay who can take it to the house on a moments notice on a scramble. I mean I bet Bailey (OC) is just all smiles with what he has to work with on offense this year. Last year how many times did you hear Kramer say that our receivers caught the ball at 5 yards, but were tackled right away. That was painfully obvious last year and this year I think they have some deep bombers/RAC (run after catch) guys this year.

Let the countdown to Fall Camp begin!

Cat-theotherwhitemeat · Post by **Cat-theotherwhitemeat** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 2:58 pm

I, for one, don't think Cat fans are satisfied with a 7-6 record, but obviously you are happy compared to a few years ago. It seems that you guys always play well against the good teams and not so good against the poor teams.

Cat Pride · Post by **Cat Pride** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 3:16 pm

That is a pretty good assumption CTOWM. I find that sort of weird, especially having all that senior leadership on the team last year. But then again, the defense never really gave any slack to anyone the last few seasons, and absolutely didnt cost the team any L's.

I'd chalk your statement up to a young and inexperienced offense. Saying that, I'd be shocked to see the Cats play so up and down with their competition this season. Look for more consistent production and successful team.

raincat · Post by **raincat** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 3:29 pm

Time has a way of slipping by. Some of you may recall a few years back when the griz actually put together a 16 game winning streak vs. the Bobcats. That streak started in 1986. However, Robcat, me and other Bobcats who have been around a little longer will recall in the 30 seasons prior to 1986 the Bobcats went 22-8 against them. Since '86 the g* are 16-2. In the remaining 12 years ( to make another 30 seasons), I wouldn't want to bet they can duplicate what the Cats did.
There's always something more to look forward to when it comes to this rivalry!!

jagur1 · Post by **jagur1** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 3:39 pm

raincat: That argument is so old. The only one that matters is the overall record. Could you look that one up and get back to us? Thanks.

Cat-theotherwhitemeat · Post by **Cat-theotherwhitemeat** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 3:55 pm

....and 1-AA national championships

Cat-theotherwhitemeat · Post by **Cat-theotherwhitemeat** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 3:56 pm

.....and playoff appearances.....and playoff wins......it goes on and on

hokeyfine · Post by **hokeyfine** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 4:17 pm

so the griz teams in 69 and 70 that played for the national champioship weren't true griz teams because it was only the div.2 title?

raincat · Post by **raincat** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 4:26 pm

We can go all the way back and find the Bobcats are 1-3 vs. Butte High, but that's another story. There is a simple reason the mid 50's are a convenient point to start tracking outcomes. By then the Bobcats had left the NAIA Rocky Mt. Conference and were playing as an NAIA independent with great success. The griz who had long been affiliated with the NCAA, were still in the Skyline Conference playing the likes of BYU, Utah, New Mexico, etc., but were actually scaling back their program. The Bobcats had long been a "break" on their schedule. By 1960 the programs were relatively comparable in both size and schedule. In 1965 both were charter members in the BSC, an NCAA conference, so now there was absolute comparability. Anybody who knows anything about college football in Montana prior to the 1950's are incapable of arguing that Montana State University-Missoula didn't own it! That is easy to concede. Prior to 1950 the Bobcats were 14-3-5 vs. Montana Tech and at that time we were more like them than the griz. So I'll stick with the "old" argument and start the meter in the 50's

Cat-theotherwhitemeat · Post by **Cat-theotherwhitemeat** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 4:28 pm

hokeyfine wrote:so the griz teams in 69 and 70 that played for the national champioship weren't true griz teams because it was only the div.2 title?

No, I just didn't want to hear the "yeah, well we have 3 national championships (1-NAIA, 1-DIV-II, 1 D-1AA)".

hokeyfine · Post by **hokeyfine** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 4:34 pm

so IF the griz would have beaten NDSU then it would be ok to bring in other division national championship? no conference titles count prior to 1977 because the big sky was div. 2?

Cat Pride · Post by **Cat Pride** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 4:46 pm

Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:
hokeyfine wrote:so the griz teams in 69 and 70 that played for the national champioship weren't true griz teams because it was only the div.2 title?
No, I just didn't want to hear the "yeah, well we have 3 national championships (1-NAIA, 1-DIV-II, 1 D-1AA)".

AND! We are the only football program in the county to hold national championships at 3 different levels. I for one am proud of the national championships, no matter what level of competition. A national champion is a national champion!

The reason that Griz fans dont like to recount history is because they dont have a strong history prior to moving into their current digs. Everything that football program has right now is completely inherited from what was built by Don Read and Denny Washington in '86. There arent a handful of Griz fans around who even know what Dornblazer is much less remember or even attended a game there. I dont mean that to sound like smack, just stating a point.

Is it just me, or are all these Griz fans a little more edgy now that they realize the school 200 miles to the east is real football hungry and no longer intimidated by the hippies in Missoula.

Cat-theotherwhitemeat · Post by **Cat-theotherwhitemeat** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 5:03 pm

Cat Pride wrote:Is it just me, or are all these Griz fans a little more edgy now that they realize the school 200 miles to the east is real football hungry and no longer intimidated by the hippies in Missoula.

There's a school 200 miles to the east?

Ok, those championships count.....calm down. I'm just trying to get you all riled up in the off season. You're wound as tight as some Griz fans.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 8:16 am

Cat Pride wrote:
Cat-theotherwhitemeat wrote:
hokeyfine wrote:so the griz teams in 69 and 70 that played for the national champioship weren't true griz teams because it was only the div.2 title?
No, I just didn't want to hear the "yeah, well we have 3 national championships (1-NAIA, 1-DIV-II, 1 D-1AA)".
AND! We are the only football program in the county to hold national championships at 3 different levels. I for one am proud of the national championships, no matter what level of competition. A national champion is a national champion!

The reason that Griz fans dont like to recount history is because they dont have a strong history prior to moving into their current digs. Everything that football program has right now is completely inherited from what was built by Don Read and Denny Washington in '86. There arent a handful of Griz fans around who even know what Dornblazer is much less remember or even attended a game there. I dont mean that to sound like smack, just stating a point.

Is it just me, or are all these Griz fans a little more edgy now that they realize the school 200 miles to the east is real football hungry and no longer intimidated by the hippies in Missoula.

I agree, a championship is a championship when you are playing teams at your same level. MSU was in different conference/leagues back then, so what . .they still beat their competition doing it. I really don't like looking at the past really though. Yeah, the championships are awesome, but you have to earn you keep every year and I hope the Bobcats are starting to move in that direction now. UM has built a solid program, there is no denying that (okay thats about all the kudos I will ever give them again

.. however I think MSU is headed in the same direction. Why you say? Because I actually have a lot of Griz fans that like to come up to the Bobcat games with me and tailgate. So something must be building there?

Cat-theotherwhitemeat · Post by **Cat-theotherwhitemeat** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:40 am

CARDIAC_CATS wrote:Because I actually have a lot of Griz fans that like to come up to the Bobcat games with me and tailgate.

So, if the Griz have an away game, and I take in a Bobcat game, I won't be the only one there????

hokeyfine · Post by **hokeyfine** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:54 am

ctowm: that was a good out earlier,

62GRIZ · Post by **62GRIZ** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 11:40 am

I agree, a championship is a championship when you are playing teams at your same level. MSU was in different conference/leagues back then, so what . .they still beat their competition doing it.

So, the Cats really 'beat their competition' in their three national championship games?

The official Cat records don't reflect that fact - but rather show a tie in one of them. It looks to me like you only "won" two of those games.